The Sun Casts Its Ray Across The Barren Landscape

The weather has been downright frigid these past few weeks on Cozy Ridge. The wind has continued to howl, causing the spruce trees to sing, and the snow has kept piling up and drifting. Yet as the sun casts its rays across the barren landscape, its amber rays bring out a subtle hint of pink across the tree line. Each season has its own appeal, its own unique sources of inspiration.

I love taking winter walks down in the valley, where the hemlocks and mountain laurel, along with the moss-covered rocks, maintain a green landscape at a time when the rest of the landscape is devoid of color. I especially love the gentle hush that the snowfall imposes, the silent stillness, prompting me to listen to the thoughts of my own heart. This has been a special time for reflection, for reminiscing and musing, and a fruitful season for getting these thoughts into writing!

The wind and snow has also caused me to slow down just a bit, and led me indoors to write. We have a small breakfast table alongside a large window on the south side of the house, where I like to work. This means that even on these cold sunny days, I can still be sitting in the sun, soaking up its warm rays!

The window overlooks our bird feeders, which have been very busy with the deep snow! One of the largest appetites belongs to one of our favorite visitors, a blonde squirrel, who is fun to watch, but tends to act like he owns the place! We have been racing through our bags of birdseed and boxes of suet cakes, which seem to disappear in a day! But watching the vast variety of species visiting our outdoor buffet has been one of life’s simple pleasures, and a tangible way of caring for the other creatures in our lives.

And in the evenings, I look forward to finding solace beside another of my favorite places–our often-burning fireplace! I never seem to get tired of enjoying its glowing embers and radiant warmth—another of life’s simple pleasures—prompting me to give thanks for the basic provisions of shelter and warmth, and to cherish the many blessings we know each day!

Life truly is a gift, and every single day, even the dreariest ones, filled with blessings!

So once again, wherever you happen to be this winter, we hope you feel a hint of the warmth from up here on Cozy Ridge.

From our hearts to yours,